Crispy Creme Brulee French Toast with Salted Caramel Recipe

Picture this: a luxurious weekend brunch where creme brulee french toast dances on your plate with delicate sophistication.

Classic breakfast fare gets a decadent makeover through this irresistible recipe.

Rich custard-soaked bread transforms into a golden masterpiece under your skilled touch.

Layers of caramelized sugar create a crackling surface that shatters like delicate glass.

Each bite promises a symphony of sweet and salty notes that awaken your senses.

Crisp edges give way to a silky, custardy interior that melts effortlessly.

Trust me, this dish will become your new weekend obsession – so grab your skillet and let’s make magic happen!

Why Crème Brûlée French Toast Feels So Luxurious

• Impress your loved ones with this luxurious breakfast that feels like a restaurant-quality treat without complicated cooking techniques.
• Whip up this decadent French toast in just minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet morning masterpiece that'll make everyone's taste buds dance.
• Perfect for special occasions like Mother's Day, brunch gatherings, or lazy weekend mornings when you want to elevate your breakfast game without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Prepare the custard mixture the night before, allowing the bread to soak overnight, which means less stress and more relaxation during morning meal preparation.

Ingredients for French Toast with Salted Caramel Topping

• Eggs: Rich, creamy base that provides structure and smooth texture for the French toast custard.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky consistency to the mixture.
• Milk: Helps balance the cream's intensity and creates a lighter custard.

• Sugar: Essential for sweetness and helping to caramelize the toast's surface.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic flavor depth to the entire dish.
• Cinnamon: Optional spice that brings warm, aromatic notes to the French toast.

• Bread: Preferably day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption of the custard mixture, with thick slices recommended for best results.

How to Make This Caramel-Topped Breakfast Dish

Whip Up Creamy Custard Base

• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon

Whisk ingredients until smooth and fully incorporated, creating a luxurious custard mixture that will transform ordinary bread into an extraordinary breakfast treat.

Prepare Bread for Soaking

Select thick-cut challah or brioche bread, slicing into generous pieces that will absorb the rich custard perfectly. Arrange bread slices in a single layer within a large baking dish, ensuring each piece will get maximum flavor coverage.

Saturate Bread with Custard

Gently pour the prepared custard mixture over the bread slices, allowing each piece to soak up the creamy goodness. Press bread lightly to help it absorb the liquid, making sure every inch is covered. Let the bread rest and soak for about 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.

Create Caramelized Topping

• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Pinch of sea salt

Spread this decadent mixture across the bottom of a baking pan before adding the soaked bread, which will create a mouthwatering caramelized layer during baking.

Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer the soaked bread and caramel mixture to the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become slightly crispy. The center should be soft and custardy.

Finish with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Once baked, remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes. Drizzle additional homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce over the top. Serve warm, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or fresh berries for an extra touch of elegance.

Tips for a Crisp Top and Soft Center

• Bread Selection Magic: Choose thick-cut, day-old brioche or challah bread for the best texture and absorption of the creamy custard mixture.
• Soak Strategically: Let bread slices soak in the egg mixture for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) in the refrigerator to maximize flavor and ensure a custardy interior.
• Caramelization Perfection: Use a kitchen torch or broiler to create a crispy, golden caramelized top, watching carefully to prevent burning and achieve that signature crackly surface.
• Serving Savvy: Drizzle warm salted caramel sauce just before serving to enhance the rich flavors and add a luxurious touch to the French toast.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the soaked bread the night before and store covered in the refrigerator, then cook fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.

Store and Reheat French Toast with Care

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover the French toast with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delicate texture.
• Warm slices at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, wrapped in aluminum foil. This method helps preserve the toast's crispy edges and soft interior.
• Heat individual pieces for 20-30 seconds on medium power. Be careful not to overheat, which can make the toast tough and rubbery.
• The custard-based French toast doesn't freeze well and can become soggy when thawed, compromising its delightful texture and flavor.

Perfect Pairings for This Rich Breakfast Treat

• Pair this decadent French toast with a rich, medium-dark roast coffee that complements the creamy caramel notes and cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced morning experience.
• Select a crisp mimosa or fresh orange juice to provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich, creamy texture of the creme brulee toast, refreshing the palate between each delectable bite.
• Choose a late-harvest Riesling or moscato, which offers subtle sweetness and light effervescence that harmonizes beautifully with the caramel and custardy elements of the dish.
• Drizzle a small amount of maple-bourbon sauce alongside the toast, enhancing the existing caramel flavors and adding a sophisticated, slightly smoky undertone that elevates the entire breakfast experience.

Fun Twists on Crème Brûlée Toast Styles

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace traditional bread with gluten-free brioche or challah, ensuring the same rich texture and flavor while accommodating celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk and almond milk, using a plant-based butter substitute to create a creamy, lactose-free version of the classic recipe.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar, and reduce the caramel sauce to create a diabetic-friendly breakfast that maintains the indulgent taste.
• Vegan Transformation: Utilize silken tofu or chickpea flour as egg replacements, coconut cream instead of dairy, and maple syrup as a natural sweetener to craft a completely plant-based French toast experience.

Creme Brulee French Toast With Salted Caramel Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Indulgent creme brulee French toast elevates breakfast with rich French culinary magic, blending silky custard and caramelized edges. Salted caramel drizzle adds luxurious complexity, making breakfast feel like a gourmet restaurant experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Ingredients

Main Components:

• 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, sliced 1-inch thick
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter (for cooking)
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (for caramel sauce)
• 6 tablespoons (90 g) unsalted butter, cubed (for caramel sauce)
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (for caramel sauce)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (for caramel sauce)

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Instructions

1. Craft a luscious custard base by vigorously blending eggs, cream, milk, and sugar until smooth and fully incorporated, creating a silky foundation for the toast.
2. Introduce vanilla extract and optional cinnamon to the mixture, whisking thoroughly to distribute aromatic flavors evenly throughout the liquid.
3. Allow the custard to rest momentarily, enabling the ingredients to meld and intensify their collective essence.
4. Select thick-cut bread slices, preferably day-old brioche or challah, ensuring they can absorb the rich custard without disintegrating.
5. Methodically dunk each bread slice into the custard mixture, gently pressing to encourage absorption while preventing excessive saturation.
6. Let the bread rest briefly in the liquid, allowing it to soak up the creamy mixture without becoming waterlogged.
7. Prepare a skillet or griddle with a light coating of butter or neutral oil, heating to a moderate temperature to ensure even golden browning.
8. Carefully transfer the custard-soaked bread to the heated surface, cooking each side until a beautiful caramelized exterior develops and the interior remains tender.
9. Create a decadent salted caramel sauce by carefully melting sugar, introducing cream, and finishing with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt.
10. Plate the golden French toast, generously drizzling the warm salted caramel sauce over the top for a luxurious finishing touch.

Notes

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to create a smooth, consistent custard mixture for optimal flavor blending.
• For a richer, more indulgent texture, use day-old brioche or challah bread that can absorb the custard without falling apart.
• Customize the recipe by experimenting with different flavor additions like orange zest, bourbon, or almond extract to personalize the dish.
• Make the French toast ahead of time by preparing the custard-soaked bread the night before and refrigerating, then baking fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg